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If anyone was wondering why Joe Lieberman is giving serious thought to slinking away into the chilly embrace of the Republican vote, the latest poll numbers from Connecticut give a good indication. A new Survey USA poll puts Bush at only a 27% approval/69% disapproval rating in Connecticut, but among Connecticut Democrats the Decider in Chief earns himself a fat 7% approval/91% disapproval rating.
Joe Lieberman is clearly dragging Dubya around like a ball and chain. He’s not his usual hawkish self answering questions about the Iran and the critique of the 6 generals, he’s avoiding the entire state of Connecticut and he has refused to debate Ned Lamont. The black smoke rising from the Lieberman campaign has turned the national media toward looking at Ned with much closer scrutiny. Says Paul Bass of the New Haven Independent:
He’s still in the honeymoon period, still being discovered. Monday’s stop attracted not just Murray of the Post national desk but an AP reporter preparing a story for the national wire. Like other Next New Thing anti-Bush Democrats — Howard Dean, Wesley Clark — Lamont will soon move to the more demanding spotlight phase, when the press and the public throw the same kind of tough questions at him that they now have for Lieberman.
And that’s a good thing. Although Holy Joe has done much to fuel the "anyone but Lieberman" fires, that really isn’t an adequate reason to elect someone to the United States Senate. People should be asking Ned Lamont tough questions. I think he’s prepared for that, and will stand up to the challenge and impress us all.
Lieberman’s only vocal support seems to be coming from the right these days. Meanwhile Lamont is picking up delegates. He can bang on about his seniority all he wants but if he’s only using it to pimp a war Connecticut voters don’t seem to want I can’t see how that’s going to do him any good.
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…puttin’ on the Fitz….
Impeach the Chimp!
Ned is the real deal.
BTW, in spite of my attempts, I’m getting total silence in my attempts to get answers from the DSCC on their level of support and coordination on behalf of the Lieberman campaign, and no response when asked how they feel about his refusal to support the nominee or to rule out bolting the party.
Just wanted you all to know I’ve been working my contacts on that, to no avail.
Eloquent silence?
Pach #4 –
To give the benefit of the doubt to the DSCC — they are stuck between a Charismatic Challenger and a Bush Luvin’ Senior Senator.
If they publicly declare neutrality, it is a slap at Lieberman; if they admit helping Weepin’ Joe, it is a huge slap at the Netroots; the only choice they have is to say nothing.
Discretion, valor, and all that . . .
“anyone but Lieberman” may not suffice, but surely anything better than “anyone less horrible than Leiberman” is pure gravy.
.
EPU’ed…
OT – Totally OT ; ) I spoke with my business associate who is in Taiwan on business a few hours ago, FREE, via Skype. It’s a free VOIP program. The sound is “in person†quality, better than a phone or cell phone. Free download, both party “callers†have to be logged on, and it makes your computer “ring†when you get a call, just like a phone. AWESOME! I highly recomend.
http://www.skype.com/download/
Totally of topic:
Crazy up is down world. Smithsonian signs exclusive deal with Showtime and limits access to its collections…WTF….
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/041806T.shtml
PS you guys post so much I am luky if I can read all the posts!! Yeah FDL!
Jane’s link to Lamont’s blog shows a blog that has matured rapidly and is learning to link effectively to the progressive netroots. Notice how well the topics link internally to html links. I hadn’t visited his site since early on, and the change is pretty impressive.
I sort of laughted at Paul Bass’s comment in Jane’s post:
“Lamont will soon move to the more demanding spotlight phase, when the press and the public throw the same kind of tough questions at him that they now have for Lieberman.”
Like WHAT hard questions, Paul? Is this guy Bass throwing hardballs at Joe? I know nothing about Connecticut politics.
MsAnnaNOLA: don’t get lucky – get lurky!
Pach — please don’t be discouraged by the technical limits you’re facing with the Roots Project. Remember, it was only a couple of days ago that the guy in charge of the Roots Project was squawkin’ about his empty in-box! So, be careful what you wish for; more tears shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones, etc.
So, I’m reading the blogs about these Connecticut Dem town meetings (what a wonderful New England system!). It sounds like Ned’s getting the word out and Dems are showing up to elect Ned delegates. Is it remotely possible that there won’t be an endorsement at this May convention? And what does a non-endorsement mean, or an endorsement for that matter, going into the August primary? I’ve tried to understand, by reading the CT blogs, how this system works, but even to a Virginia-Dem-mass-meeting political veteran, this process seems pretty opaque….
If there’s someone from CT who’d like to explain the process to us outlanders, maybe that would be a good FDL guest post some evening.
Hi, Jane! Welcome to California!
=========
Had enough?
=========
Why are the Dems silent on Iran?
Or are we going to once again see a Kerryesque moment in 2008 when the inevitable question would be asked where you for the Iran invasion and the resulting middle east conflagration before you were against it?
If Col. Sam Gardiner is correct then Bush/Cheney are doing an exact replay of Iraq circa 2002. Covert ops in Iran underway (just make sure it does not hit CNN – Rummy); Rove preparing the political campaign with all the flag waving with us or the terrorists; steady drumbeat of making the case in the corporate media; and Dems like Hillary already providing cover while the rest hide under the bed.
Are we setting up for a yet another disappointing performance by the Dems this Nov and an emboldened Bush & Cheney on the rampage in Iran/Iraq doubling down on their middle eastern bet?
I too lost enchantment with ole Joe some time ago. From afar, I’m rooting for this Lamont fella. So, I’ll give Mr. Lamont some free advice (chuckle):
The poll numbers cited by Ms. Hamsher are astounding! Truly! So, Mr. Lamont…use these numbers to your advantage! You’ve got to start linking Joe and Bush…link them arm-in-arm, hip-to-hip. Over and over.
Mr. Lamont, you can’t run alone on just being a “bright and smiling face”. It’s time to throw some elbows…time to slide in to the base spikes high. Being a “pretty boy” has some limits. Throw a punch or two. It’s time. No need to turn into a junkyard dog…but do a little attacking on Joe. He’s weak….throw a punch.
Ghostman
Paul Bass is a very good reporter – independent and smart. He’s been with the NH Advocate for … hmmm… at least 20 years and has always covered politics with an investigative eye. He is not dogmatic – will ask very tough questions and will not accept fluff. The paper definitely leans democratic (and in fact would not endorse the candidate whose campaign I managed since she was a republican when the city was heavy machine dem but they were fair) and I have only good things to say about Bass and his reporting.
Today’s J.Po (Jerusalem Post) carries an excerpt of an interview with Sen. Joe Lieberman they’ll run in full in the upcoming Friday edition. The excerpt is about the possibilities of war with Iran. In it, Tel Aviv’s 2nd favorite Democrat – after Sen. Hillary Clinton- says, among other things, “We’ve come some distance here with regard to Iran, fairly quickly, and I’m not saying that it says without doubt that there’ll be military action, but there’s been movement… We’re taking this very seriously.”
The article, a teaser for the weekend edition, is good, and David Horovitz, the article’s author, can be thorough in his interviews. Here’s the link:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/S…..2FShowFull
Look at how Lieberman responded to Jeffords becoming an Independent in 2001:
“This is historic,” said Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Connecticut, in anticipation of Jeffords’ switch. “It gives us the opportunity to set the agenda.”
Us, meaning the Democrats. Why is Joe Lieberman when Senate Democrats set the agenda but not Connecticut Democrats?
I’m discouraged not to see more media reports about “choice” in the CT Dem primary. Is Ned not focusing on this issue? Is the media not picking up on it? Ned needs to call Joe out on his Alito cloture vote, especially with a college audience like the one in Bass’ article.
Injured. Injured bad.
http://video.google.com/videop…..mp;pl=true
being the “I’m with Stupid” democrat ain’t all that much fun anymore, huh joe ???
maybe joe and zell could have a duel
the loser has to live with the shame
could we, maybe give joementum the “George Brinton McClelland” award for excellence in dis-service to your country ???
just a thought
ET– I read that earlier today and remarked on it– who the heck does he think he is? How dare he act as though he is a Secretary of State or anything else to a foreign press? Threatening military strikes et al while a supposed Democratic Senator? WTF??? Guess he is just trying to win his sorry seat in November– what slime. Go Ned!
Re: DSCC
Yes, they are screwed to comment, because they are inherently an incumbent protection outfit.
But that does not mean we can’t make them squirm.
:)
I’m all about pushing, aggressively, for the liberal wing of the party to overwhelm the sclerotoc party establishment.
angie asks about Joe’s assertion in the Jerusalem Post article I linked above ” How dare he act as though he is a Secretary of State or anything else to a foreign press?”
Because he’s the Secretary of Defense in-waiting, if they can figure out a way to keep his senate seat in the GOP.
ab initio asks:
“Why are the Dems silent on Iran?”
Some of them (Bayh) are worse than silent. This is typical, keep your powder dry, bullshit. Once again, the Dems have let the discussion get out in front of them and now they can’t find a coherent message. Of course, the legitimate message is “You can’t possibly consider trusting the Bush administration on any of this Iran business!!!” But then they’ll be wide open for the old “They don’t have a plan” attacks. It sucks, but that’s how it is. It will be up to the people to stop the Iran war. Get ready. It’s going to take more than typing.
peace,
jim
ET– yep– Rummy out, Joementum in. presto-changeo. brought to you by the decider-in- chief.
Hold it. Someone’s been asking Joe Lieberman tough questions? When did that start?
It may be a day late and a dollar short, but, by God, folks are coming around.
-GSD
I’m curious about which war Jane was referring to when she said “He can bang on about his seniority all he wants but if he’s only using it to pimp a war Connecticut voters don’t seem to want I can’t see how that’s going to do him any good.”?
I’ll assume you mean Iraq, Jane, but he seems to be part of the plan to coordinate the uncoming plan of the Alliance of the Willing, Version 2 – the USA and Israel against Iran and whoever sides with them when the orange dust settles.
Maybe part of the reason Joe is so unavailable for press interviews and debates and handshaking in CT is because he’s far into the inner circle of something he considers more important and is already underway?
He’s not his usual hawkish self answering questions about the Iran and the critique of the 6 generals,
Not sure what you were trying to do there, Jane. Maybe you meant “the Iran disaster”?
Meanwhile, it’s nice to know that at least in one place the right guy is losing. Wish that were true in Pennsylvania.
Pach #21 –
Re: DSCC
Yes, feet to the fire, and all that is very important. Converting them to our side is the ultimate goal, but keeping them honest is the best we can hope for in the short term.
We have to remember — the DC Dems are on our team, even though they disappoint us. Even Weepin’ Joe votes with the Dems more often than the most moderate GOoPer.
That said, Go Lamont!!!
Methinks we could use some Joementum in the Pentagon.
Joe is off being the preznit’s ambassador to promote the newest, bestest war. He has received his marching orders to save the world from peace and fan the flames of imperialism, and will do his utmost to serve the King.
Ohhhh . . .
Check out Atrios — NOW
Worst. Preznit. Ever.
A minor correction to Ed*ard Teller on the Lamont Blog. That site is “unauthorized and unfunded by any campaign or campaign committee”. In short, the level of commitment and dedication by completely unpaid volunteers is what separates the Lamont campaign from the mercenary effort one expects will emanate from the the Lieberman campaign.
Cujo359,
Jane picked up on Lieberman’s reticence re Iran, but you’re behind the curve here. He’s reticent because he’s involved in the ongoing planning of an ongoing campaign which is being kept secret in a way quite similar to the bombing of Cambodia from 1969 (or earlier) to 1971.
OT: I’m surprised not to see any comments in FDL about Fitzgerald obtaining a conviction of ex-Gov. Ryan of Illinois after an eight-year effort. Only five more years before Fitz nails Cheney?
Good riddance to Joe “sanctimonious gasbag” Lieberman. I hate that asshole.
scarce,
You’re right on both counts. Missed the unofficial status earlier. Now I’ve gotta go to his real site and see if they’re as inspired as the volunteers and progressive netizens.
“OT: I’m surprised not to see any comments in FDL about Fitzgerald obtaining a conviction of ex-Gov. Ryan of Illinois after an eight-year effort. Only five more years before Fitz nails Cheney?”
That story was yesterday Chowdernuts.
Besides, good things come to those who wait. Too bad the Republicans weren’t able to make any convictions out of the 10 year Henry Cisneros investigation…if only they had gotten that last extension.
-GSD
GK #34 –
Those Ryan conviction comments were so last year, in Internets time — or (this afternoon? yesterday?) in clock time.
Trust me — it was kicked around, and left behind . . .
Btw, these Connecticut Bloggers have been featured in the New Haven Independent by Paul Bass (mentioned above), the Ny Times, and will shortly also be in Time, and apparently have caught the attention of the Washington Post’s Shailagh Murray, who’s been following Lamont recently for a story.
Pach 4 – put it in a petition, send it around for signatures. That may get some attention. ;)
Ed*ard Teller @ 9:30 pm (#33) – I’m so behind the curve that I have no idea how what you wrote relates to what I wrote. Seems Joe L. is in trouble in Connecticut, but I realize I could be wrong about how bad that trouble is …
I’m as disappointed with Mr Lieberman as anybody, but I was wondering if there have been any polls that show that Lamont has any chance at all. I know that Bush is about as unpopular as the plague, but has that really rubbed off on Joe yet?
Inquiring Californians want to know!
Late Nite Food for Thought — from SusanG’s diary rescue thread:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…..0334/90556
* Nowhere Man’s Why my grandma hates profanity (and why you should care) is a reflection on the diarist’s grandmother, who was strong, outspoken and politically active – and totally turned off by swearing.
=====
The coarsening of American Culture over the past 40 years is a by product of the gradual relaxing of censorship norms — Hollywood pushes the envelope, giving people what they willing to pay for. The Wild Bunch pushed the violence envelope, The Last Tango in Paris pushed nudity, The Jefferson Airplane were the first to use M-Efer on a major label record.
While I’m on the side of the libertarians, I have sympathy for those who are offended by public vulgarity. BushCo is in full bore pander mode; what can our team do to promote civility, while respecting diversity?
Comments?
ck asks:
“what can our team do to promote civility, while respecting diversity?”
Learn from the hundreds of civil posters who comment here every day, use what you learn from them to spread the word everywhere you go that there is a diverse, creative force emerging on the left which cannot be stopped.
He’s not his usual hawkish self answering questions about the Iran and the critique of the 6 generals, he’s avoiding the entire state of Connecticut and he has refused to debate Ned Lamont.
It sure sounds like Lieberman is listening to the same strategists as the sclerotic*, do-nothing, Can’t Hackett wing of the Democratic Party. By all means, run from every fight, concede every strength, and shamlessly play to the middle while ignoring the base. What could possibly go wrong?
Wait, though, what were Joe’s advantages again?
I keep hearing Jack Murtha from last November in my head. “The public,” he said, “is way out ahead of us on this.” He meant the Iraq War, but he might as well have been talking about the whole DINO platform.
Ralph Reed is speaking in my town tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have to work. Someone else is going to have to throw that Matt Taibbi special at him.
*Thank you for using that word, Pachacutec. Mmmm. It’s vocabulicious!
OT but a good post for all Plameologists
INR Memos part of Niger cover up via Crooks and Liars I think…
http://thenexthurrah.typepad.c……html#more
Good night and sweet dreams to you all.
There hasn’t been any public polls recently in Connecticut that I’m aware of. The last one back in February gave Lamont almost a zero name recognition so didn’t mean anything. His stature has grown considerably since then, largely helped by Lieberman himself and the curious decision to engage an opponent few had ever heard of before. The rumor I heard was this was done because Lieberman’s internal polling numbers were so weak. In any event that strategy backfired miserably.
Ned Lamont has more than a chance of winning, which is remarkable in and of itself. I don’t think anyone has a real clue has this will play out however because the dynamics are so unusual.
Scarce – thanks for reminding me that Paul B writes for the Independent, I had forgotten about that (which shows how long it’s been since I was in CT)
IL update – 4 of us went to Durbin and Obama’s offices today to start a dialogue. Durbin’s Chicago office director met with us, was gracious and friendly. We were all pleased with the reception and smarts shown. She reminded us of Durbin’s vote against the war in Iraq and said that they need to hear more support for Censure and more in general from our side since they get tons of emial and mail from the other.
Obama’s office was extremely unfriendly and clearly did not want to talk with us. They initially tried to send us to Obama’s PAC – the Hope Fund (raising even more cash for Lieberman, Clinton, etc) and then said that they do not deal with issues in the Chicago office, only constituent services like immigration. We finally were able to speak to a member of the senators scheduling team and were told to request a meeting in writing – which we will do.
Overall, our impression of Durbin’s team was very positive and we will be meeting with staffers there as a larger group. Obama’s office was very disappointing – and very patronizing!!! We will request a meeting with the Senator and also see if we can coordinate a conference call with those elusive Obama staffers who actually deal with issues.
It was great to meet more FDL folks – and to start this process! We’re hoping folks around the country are doing the same!
Re Lieberman: In CT, will there really be a big nomination fight at the dem convention? Can they actually go into the primary with no nomination? If the convention refuses to endorse Lieberman, is there still time for him to get those signatures to get on the ballot?
Sorry for the questions but was curious. Just imagining how Lieberman would react with CT dems telling him straight up what they think about his closeness to Bush is making me smile.
Hi GrandmaJ — hope you’re doing well. I am also confused about the entire process in CT and asked upthread if someone from there could ’splain the whole setup to those of us not from there.
I’m still trying to catch up so sorry if I missed this from an earlier thread, but Wolcottt has linked to TBogg’s Mickey and Mallory Malkin post.
http://jameswolcott.com/archiv…..e_of_t.php
TSF: Obviously (it is almost 1:00 a.m.), I am still not sleeping well. So I am doing a bit of reading. We did have Easter breakfast with my son and his 2 kids. It was good to have my son back where I can hug him and the kids. they all look a bit forlorn and sad. That’s to be expected but heartbreaking to see.
Cody is doing exceptionally well. My granddaughter turns 16 in one week. Her first real important occasion without her Mother. People are doing everything they can, but still she seems lost. Time and love — it is the only remedy.
OT but..too good to pass up. From mcjoan at Kos, Midday Open Thread:
“Freudian slip? Cheney was in my own fair state of Washington, stumping for GOP candidates. Speaking about his appearance in Everett for House candidate Doug Roulstone, the none-too-bright GOP state chair Diane Tebelius: “He really fires everyone up and this will be a shot in the arm. This is my upset special for a Republican taking out a Democratic member of our delegation.” Ouch.”
lieberman’s campaign cry is ‘america second!’
Grandma J, thanks for the update. I’m really glad your grandchildren have you.
“Lamont will soon move to the more demanding spotlight phase, when the press and the public throw the same kind of tough questions at him that they now have for Lieberman.”
Fortunately, Lamont is quite intelligent
and well-informed, sure to handle it well.
Well here’s one good difference from my viewpoint: Lamont actually answers questions with more and more grace and ease. Lieberman has this tactic of delivering talking points which is anything but answering the questions at hand & then berates the journalist/talk show host/ Colin McEnroe if feels he’s not coming over well. Baaa! Lieberman is “past tense.” (my mantra, thank you Chris Dodd.)
Siun,
Paul Bass=New Haven Advocate.
BTW. I always suspected the New Haven Advocate folks were Green, but not in a good sense.
Geebus that was screwed up. Let me start that over. I suspect the New Haven Advocate folks are Green in a good sense. I like them .
grandmaj:
I doubt the CT Dems will turn on Joe. He has been using the fact that he always is generous with his campaign funds for other Democrats needing help in the state, and he keeps harping on his seniority, because Ned lamont will have to start at square one to develop any and help out the State. The CT Dems are sucked right into these issues he is using as blackmail!
I am going to the Convention as a volunteer, to see it all first hand. I do not profess to understand how it all works, but will get an idea when there. I am working for Ned as hard as I can. Arrogant Joe does not know enough to start moving back to the Left, when faced with so much un-popularity! He is trying to bluster his way through it all.
Help! delete #59. Please
What is Joe doing that is more important than his primary? I will say this: if Joe is in any way responsible for or complicit with BushCo’s nuke-happy stance on Iran, I curse him. Time to make a list of nuke-happy vichy dems perhaps.
This is a crucial week for Lieberman. If he is not selected to replace Rumsfeld now, he never will be. The Bushies have been stringing him along for months now. Selecting Lieberman for Defense looked like an excellent idea for the administration at the beginning of the year. Now, however, with Lamont’s challenge exploding across the state and Lieberman making petulent noises that he might bolt the Democratic Party, he is beginning to look like damaged goods to his Republican handlers. While Lieberman presented an attractive bi-partisan opportunity some months ago, he is beginning to appear desperate for a Bush bailout from his increasingly tenuous reelection campaign.
Yet the Bushies are also desperate. So, while the administration has shamelessly led Lieberman along, I believe they are just hours away from finally taking him on as the new SecDef. No matter how many retired generals come to Rummy’s defense, the war is deteriorating dangerously. New COS Bolton is in no mood to save Rummy, to whom he is not beholden. And George is just too dumb and too weak politically to protect any more incompetent cronies. Lieberman and Bush need each other now, even though their timing is terrible.
If Bush chooses to stick with Rummy, the outcome could be disastrous. I don’t think Bolton will stand for it. Whether Lieberman goes to Defense, or remains in Connecticut to face the music, Ned wins.
I caught Lamont on air america..(Franken’s show and Majority report) i sent dude a small donation from ga.. Good luck.. We need democrats to be democrats. Joe Leiberman tied his raft to bush’s boat.. now he can sink withit..
Hi Jane -
A grass-roots effort is underway to mount a Progressive challenger to Nancy Pelosi here in SF. Matt Gonzales narrowly lost the mayoral election, and given the lameness of our Democratic leadership, it would be great to see him run against Nancy Pelosi. He’s really popular here, and he’d actually have a shot at winning. Here’s the petition site to get Matt to run:
http://draftmatt.com/
What better way to give a wake-up call to our Leadership! This would force Nancy P to truly embrace the principles of the Democratic Party.
I think of this as another Ned Lamont type of thing. If you mentioned this, it would be cool to see where it goes. I think it could have a profound effect.
Best Regards,
Bill Dettering
San Francisco
I’m new here, but I just wanted to say: as a CT native (now in Rhode Island) and lifelong progressive, the only thing that would give me more satisfaction than watching Joe Lieberman go down in flames would be seeing the entire Bush administration and their backers put on trial for war crimes.
I loathe Joe with a transcendent passion. He’s a moralistic, sanctimonious, priggish, sneering, condescending hypocrite.